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In a move that replicates Halo 2's soundtrack-supplemented launch in 2004, Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack will launch on November 11, right beside Halo 2: Anniversary's arrival in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The album will be offered in CD, vinyl and digital formats, with the latter format already up for a $14.99 pre-order on iTunes.

Anniversary Original Soundtrack isn't a copy-paste of the original album's track list - Xbox Wire notes that 343 Industries' Senior Audio Director Paul Lipson teamed up with Lennie Moore, Tom Salta, Brian Trifton, Brian Lee White and Skywalker Sound to "adapt and re-record the iconic Halo 2 score created by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori." While there's no mention of Hoobastank making an encore appearance (probably you, just now) on Anniversary Original Soundtrack, new tracks from Steve Vai and Periphery's Misha Mansoor will also be included.

Both the soundtrack and remake were preceded by the debut of Remaking the Legend - Halo 2: Anniversary, a documentary following Halo 2: Anniversary's creation, but Remaking the Legend will still be available on the Halo Channel on November 11. You know, just in case you wanted to surround yourself with three types of Halo 2-related media.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustrieshaloHalo-2halo-2-anniversaryhalo-2-anniversary-original-soundtrackmarty-odonnellmicrosoftostsoundtrackxbox-oneSat, 08 Nov 2014 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/report-cutscene-from-halo-master-chief-collection-leaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/report-cutscene-from-halo-master-chief-collection-leaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/report-cutscene-from-halo-master-chief-collection-leaks/#comments
A cutscene from Halo: The Master Chief Collection reportedly leaked during a Twitch stream of the game. The video briefly shows a loading screen that lists The Heretic level from Halo 2 before showing Agent Locke talking to Arbiter about hunting down Master Chief.

Some viewers believe the scene may bridge the original Halo trilogy with the coming Xbox One exclusive, Halo 5: Guardians, as Locke has a role in the next game in the series. Head past the break to check the video out for yourself, but act fast, as these types of leaked videos tend to disappear quickly. Halo: The Master Chief Collection will launch on November 11 for Xbox One.

The decade-old Halo 2 looks a bit long in the tooth these days, but thanks to the efforts of Blur Studio, the game's Master Chief Collection re-release is receiving a full complement of gorgeous new cinematics.

Remaking the Legend ​- Halo 2: Anniversary, a documentary about the creation of Halo 2: Anniversary, is due to premiere on October 31 free on Xbox Video and streaming on Twitch at 11AM PT / 2PM ET that same day, with additional airings to follow. The film will be available on the Halo Channel on November 11, and it will re-air on Twitch on November 1 and 2. See the full schedule after the break.

Remaking the Legend delves into the history of the Halo franchise with an emphasis on the creation of Halo 2: Anniversary from 343 Industries and Microsoft.

"How do you remake a title that is so beloved by fans?" Tina Summerford, Director of Programming for 343 Industries asked in an Xbox blog post. "How do you decide what must stay the same and what can be updated? It takes an army to build any game and we realized this process was one that the Halo Nation rarely gets a glimpse into. We hit the road to capture the process from top to bottom, talking to all of the key players who helped bring Halo 2: Anniversary into the next gen and giving our fans unprecedented access to this process."

In an upcoming documentary that's bound to make the wait for Halo: The Master Chief Collection's November 11 launch more painful, fans will get a peek at what went into tackling the compilation's most-anticipated piece. 343 Industries has released the above teaser for Remaking the Legend - Halo 2 Anniversary, which appears to be a reflection on Halo 2's initial significance as well as the work involved in bringing it to Xbox One.

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Xbox spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb and 343 Studio Head Bonnie Ross are among the figures featured in the trailer, which signs off by promising the full work is coming soon.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesbonnie-rossdocumentaryhalo-2halo-the-master-chief-collectionmajor-nelsonmicrosoftphil-spencerremaking-the-legend-halo-2-anniversaryxboxxbox-oneSun, 19 Oct 2014 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/09/343-halo-2-anniversary-campaign-not-at-native-1080p/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/09/343-halo-2-anniversary-campaign-not-at-native-1080p/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/09/343-halo-2-anniversary-campaign-not-at-native-1080p/#comments
The upgraded port of Halo 2 included in the Xbox One-exclusive series compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection will not output at a native 1080p resolution, developer 343 Industries confirmed in an interview with IGN this week.

The porting process initially placed Halo 2: Anniversary at 720p, due to a hardware-pushing feature that allows players to switch between its original graphics engine and an updated audiovisual presentation instantly. Further tweaking allows Halo 2's campaign to run at 1328x1080 in the retail version of The Master Chief Collection, putting it a step behind the other games in the bundle, which perform at a native 1920x1080 resolution.

Microsoft initially pledged that all games in The Master Chief Collection would hit a consistent 60 frames-per-second performance at 1080p. 343 executive producer Dan Ayoub explained that Halo 2: Anniversary's current 1328x1080 resolution required a last-minute push from its development team.

"The campaign of Halo 2: Anniversary looked fantastic at 720p with the level of detail and clarity it gave us, but like every other aspect of the game and tech, we wanted to push it further," Ayoub said. "So in the last weeks of development, our teams were able to meet a stretch goal and the campaign of Halo 2: Anniversary now runs 60 fps at a crisp resolution of 1328x1080, which is a significant and meaningful boost in image quality we think fans are really going to appreciate. All of the other games across the entire package of The Master Chief Collection run 60 fps at 1920x1080 native."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p343-industriesbungiehalo-2halo-2-anniversaryhalo-the-master-chief-collectionmicrosoftxbox-oneThu, 09 Oct 2014 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/08/the-master-chief-collection-getting-halo-2s-warlock-map/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/08/the-master-chief-collection-getting-halo-2s-warlock-map/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/08/the-master-chief-collection-getting-halo-2s-warlock-map/#comments
The final Halo 2 map being remade for the Halo: The Master Chief Collection is Warlock, Microsoft announced today. The multiplayer map was itself a remake of the Wizard map from Halo: Combat Evolved. Warlock, now known as "Warlord," joins five other multiplayer maps from Halo 2 that will return in the The Master Chief Collection: Ascension, Coagulation, Lockout, Sanctuary and Zanzibar.

The map will include "additional cover, new skill jumps, and a new weapon in the center," according to Certain Affinity President Max Hoberman, former multiplayer lead designer for the original version of Halo 2.

Microsoft first revealed the collection during its E3 2014 press event in June following rumors of the bundle's existence in May. Halo: The Master Chief Collection packs together Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4, and is Xbox One exclusive. It will also include formerly PC-exclusive maps from the first two games. The collection will launch on November 11.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesbundlecollectionhalo-2halo-2-anniversaryhalo-the-master-chief-collectionmapmapsmicrosoftmultiplayermultiplayer-mapsremakewarlockwarlordxbox-oneWed, 08 Oct 2014 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/halo-halo-2-pc-exclusive-maps-included-in-master-chief-collecti/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/halo-halo-2-pc-exclusive-maps-included-in-master-chief-collecti/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/03/halo-halo-2-pc-exclusive-maps-included-in-master-chief-collecti/#comments
A collection of maps formerly exclusive to the Windows PC versions of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 will be included with the upcoming Xbox One series compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection, developer 343 Industries revealed today.

Returning maps include Timberland, Death Island, Gephyrophobia, Danger Canyon, Ice Fields and Infinity from Halo CE, along with Halo 2's District and Uplift. PC-exclusive weapons like the Flamethrower and Fuel Rod Gun are also slated to return, and veteran console players will be able to filter them out by choosing an optional "classic" weapon set.

The news followed the newly unveiled Halo Channel "digital network" for the upcoming Xbox One compilation. The remastered bundle includes Halos 1-4 as well as access to the live-action Halo: Nightfall TV series, and it's launching in North America on November 11.

How much work does Blur Studio put into revamping and remaking Halo 2's cutscenes for Halo 2 Anniversary? Quite a bit more than the minute-and-a-half's worth you see in the video above, but we're okay with a highlight reel.

If you want to see just how far visual fidelity has progressed since 2004 and the original Xbox, take a look at the trailer Microsoft, 343 Industries and Blur showed during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con this year and watch as Miranda Keyes transforms from polygonal puppet to a soldier straight out of the uncanny valley.

If Blur's work makes you hungry for more, you won't have to wait much longer: Halo 2 Anniversary will be included as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which hits Xbox One on November 11 this year.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection made an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this week, bringing with it new screenshots of the re-imagined "Zanzibar" map and a trailer showcasing Halo 2: Anniversary's revamped cutscenes.

Blur Studio, which has had its hand in many of today's most visually spectacular cinematics and commercials - including those for Halo 4 and Batman: Arkham Origins - is the company to thank for Master Chief and friends' high-res makeovers, while 343 Industries and Certain Affinity can claim responsibility for the new Zanzibar.

Scope out the map and concept art below to prep yourself for the battles waiting for you on November 11.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesblur-studiocertain-affinitycomic-conhalohalo-2halo-2-anniversaryhalo-the-master-chief-collectionmicrosoftxbox-oneSat, 26 Jul 2014 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/halo-the-master-chief-collection-jumps-to-xbox-one-on-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/halo-the-master-chief-collection-jumps-to-xbox-one-on-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/09/halo-the-master-chief-collection-jumps-to-xbox-one-on-november/#comments
Like a Forerunner machine rising from the sand, the rumoredHalo: The Master Chief Collection has been given an official, dramatic unveiling by Microsoft. As you might have guessed from the collection's name, The Master Chief Collection will chronicle the adventures of UNSC SPARTAN John-117, aka Master Chief. That means updated versions of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4. It also means the inclusion of every multiplayer map from each of the aforementioned games.

Following the example of 2011's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries will be remaking Halo 2 with new textures, models and sound, though players will be able to switch back and enjoy the game's original Xbox visuals at any time. Speaking of visuals, Blur Studio will develop new cutscenes to re-tell Chief's story. All games in the collection will run at 60 frames per second.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2014halohalo-2halo-3halo-4halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-the-master-chief-collectionmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMon, 09 Jun 2014 13:22:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/16/rumor-halo-1-4-bundled-in-master-chief-collection-for-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/16/rumor-halo-1-4-bundled-in-master-chief-collection-for-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/16/rumor-halo-1-4-bundled-in-master-chief-collection-for-xbox-one/#comments
The saga of Master Chief will be packaged up in Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One this year, Engadget reported. The bundle will seemingly combine Bungie's Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo 3 as well as 343 Industries' contribution, Halo 4, into one HD-remastered pack.

The Master Chief Collection will apparently ignore Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach in order to hone in on the story of the iconic hero. The bundle would tide fans of the series over for the time being, as Halo 5: Guardians is slated to launch on Xbox One in fall 2015.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustriesbundleBungieBungie-StudioscollectionhaloHalo-2Halo-3halo-4Halo-Combat-Evolvedhalo-the-master-chief-collectionhdhd-remastermaster-chiefmicrosoftremasteredxbox-oneFri, 16 May 2014 18:08:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/report-halo-2-anniversary-coming-this-year-says-master-chief-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/report-halo-2-anniversary-coming-this-year-says-master-chief-v/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/14/report-halo-2-anniversary-coming-this-year-says-master-chief-v/#commentsUpdate: Downes is now distancing himself from his earlier statement and denying that he has insider knowledge of an imminent re-release of Halo 2.

"What I said was: 'I think you're ahead of yourself on H5. I have read some things online that you can look forward to a H2 anniversary edition maybe this year, but I have no official information one way or the other,'" Downes told IGN. "I was just mentioning some of the things I had read online about Halo 2. I have no idea if there will be an anniversary edition and didn't mean to leave that impression."

Original:

A high-definition re-release of Halo 2 may appear later this year, if an interview with long-time Master Chief voice actor Steven Downes is to be believed.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>haloHalo-2halo-2-anniversaryhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftsteve-downesxboxxbox-oneFri, 14 Feb 2014 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-support-extended/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-support-extended/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-support-extended/#commentsGood news for dual-wielding, sword-rushing Lockout fans, Halo 2's online multiplayer on PC has received an extension. Previously, Halo Waypoint had announced that Halo 2's PC multiplayer servers would join the Forerunners on February 15. Not so anymore, according to 343 Industries designer David Ellis, who revealed the extension on Twitter, noting that servers will now stay online until June 2013 "while we investigate further support options."

In other words, not only do the few remaining Halo 2 players get another four months of online multiplayer, but 343 is apparently looking into ways to extend it even further. Now everyone calm down and get back to Team Slayer on Turf (BR starts, duh).

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungieHalo-2pcWed, 13 Feb 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/steam-database-fills-out-with-halo-2-3-fez-dyad-king-of-figh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/steam-database-fills-out-with-halo-2-3-fez-dyad-king-of-figh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/steam-database-fills-out-with-halo-2-3-fez-dyad-king-of-figh/#commentsThe Steam database is a dark and convoluted mine, with twisting tunnels of useless content and, every now and then, a diamond. NeoGAF member Stumpokapaw braved the database and dusted off a few gems, including the addition of Halo 2 and Halo 3.

The Halo 2 and 3 database entries included links to Steam Community pages for each game, according to Stumpokapaw and Redditor whatsmyPW, who provided the above screenshot. The Community links no longer resolve those pages, and the Halo 3 database history shows the app was edited today to remove the website name.

Halo 2 and 3's existence in the database doesn't mean these games are coming to Steam, but it could point to some form of Community support on Steam in the future. With the Steam Box on the way, anything is possible (yes, even that, you absolute freak). Other games in the database, listed by Stumpokapaw, include Fez, Shadow Warrior Complete, Dyad, The King of Fighters 13 (and 2002 Unlimited Match and '98 Unlimited Match), Halo: Combat Evolved, Quantum Conundrum 2, The Witness and Second Life.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Halo-2Halo-3pcSTEAMsteam-databasevalveMon, 04 Feb 2013 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-servers-going-offline-feb-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-servers-going-offline-feb-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/psa-halo-2-pc-multiplayer-servers-going-offline-feb-15/#commentsOnline multiplayer matches in the PC version of Halo 2 are about to get a lot lonelier than they already are, as Bungie will be pulling the plug on Friday, February 15. Matches over LAN will still be possible of course, but as far as playing through Bungie's servers, that's all she wrote.

"We've been monitoring the population for months," the announcement reads, "and it's been peaking consistently at approximately 20 players or less." So! If you're one of the 20 people left in the whole of existence that are still playing Halo 2, allow us to officially welcome you back to society. You'll be pleased to know that several other Halo games have been released in your absence.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungieHalo-2microsoftmultiplayerofflinepcPSAserversshut-downSat, 19 Jan 2013 22:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/halo-stats-blown-out-by-bungie-as-studio-moves-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/halo-stats-blown-out-by-bungie-as-studio-moves-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/halo-stats-blown-out-by-bungie-as-studio-moves-on/#commentsBungie is out of the Halo stat-tracking biz, but says "so long and thanks for all the fish" with one last nuke of information. Since 2004, over 20.8 billion Halo matchmaking games have been played, with Halo 3 supplying a majority at 11.5 billion, at around 221 million games averaged monthly.

The studio gathered all the data up in a mega infographic, covering stats of the great battles between humanity and The Covenant, and Red vs. Blue. At the end of Bungie's oversight of the online war, the body count exceeded 136 billion, with over 43 billion assists.

Having moved on from Halo, Bungie is currently in a 10-year contract with Activision to produce ... something.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BungieHaloHalo-2Halo-3Halo-3-ODSTHalo-ReachmicrosoftxboxMon, 02 Apr 2012 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/#comments
If you spent any considerable amount of time with Halo 2, then you've likely stomped around the Headlong map in your billion-dollar boots, helping to fertilize its soil with a few dead bodies. A new and improved version of that large-scale map, dubbed Breakneck, will ship with Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries announced today.

Some graphical tweaks have been made, but you may notice some layout differences as well. That teleporter on the Blue base's balcony has been replaced with a man-cannon and some panels have been added up there for better cover when moving from building to building. Red side's had an extension added to the Engineering Hallway and lost a chunk of the ceiling in the Office.

343 also sent word on the next big title update for Halo: Reach, due on September 21. Initially, the title update won't change anything for you, but come October 4 a special beta playlist will become active with 4-on-4 Objective and Slayer game modes. Here is where 343 will monitor games so that it can continue to shape Reach.

Feel free to hop into our gallery below to check out shots of the new and improved Headlong Breakneck. You'll get a chance to see it in person when Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary launches on November 15.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbreakneckbungiehalo-2halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachheadlongmicrosoftmultiplayerxboxWed, 14 Sep 2011 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/#comments"In Halo 1, there was maybe 30 seconds of fun that happened over and over and over and over again. And so, if you can get 30 seconds of fun, you can pretty much stretch that out to be an entire game."

Or maybe even five games. The succinct secret to Halo's success, that half minute of fun, has long been a mantra repeated by developer Bungie, repurposed by game critics, and presumably whispered by Master Chief himself before he tosses a plasma grenade into a gathering of grunts. It's inoffensive, catchy and it sounds about right. Doesn't it?

"Yeah, it's probably the most famous thing I ever said," says game designer Jaime Griesemer. "For some reason it really resonated with the community and got quoted and repeated to the point where I would hear it from people that didn't realize where it had come from in the first place! Especially with journalists." Like many of you, Griesemer has heard the phrase on podcasts (yes, including The Joystiq Podcast) and read it in several articles, such as Clive Thompson's examination of Halo 3 playtesting in Wired. "Some of the guys at Bungie were calling me 'Mr. Thirty Seconds' for a while ... heh."

If only we had paid attention to Mr. Thirty Seconds for about, oh, 30 seconds longer.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiehalohalo-2halo-3halo-3-odsthalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachjaime-griesemermicrosoftsucker-punchsucker-punch-productionsxboxThu, 14 Jul 2011 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/bungie-discusses-the-halo-beyond-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/bungie-discusses-the-halo-beyond-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/bungie-discusses-the-halo-beyond-halo/#comments
Even if you've never touched a Halo game, you're likely familiar with the basic story. But as only the devout know, there's another, deeper fiction behind Bungie's baby that predates even the series itself. Today IGN encapsulates that daunting mythology in a new feature that's well worth a read.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiecortanahalohalo-2halo-3halo-reachmicrosoftpcxboxWed, 20 Oct 2010 22:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/watch-a-full-match-of-team-slayer-on-halo-reachs-reflection-ma/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/watch-a-full-match-of-team-slayer-on-halo-reachs-reflection-ma/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/watch-a-full-match-of-team-slayer-on-halo-reachs-reflection-ma/#comments
For being a remake of Halo 2's Ivory Tower, Reflection doesn't look like it's changed much. Aside from giving it a graphical overhaul, the map's layout in Halo: Reach is pretty much what we remember. Large open area, some tight hallways and that elevator -- we call it the "deathvator" because, let's be honest, anybody riding that thing is going to get murdered.

Head on past the break and soak in five minutes of what the latter half of your September is going to be like, courtesy of 343 Industries.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungiehalohalo-2Halo-Reachivory-towermicrosoftreflectionxboxFri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/halo-elite-costume-sets-the-bar-for-diy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/halo-elite-costume-sets-the-bar-for-diy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/halo-elite-costume-sets-the-bar-for-diy/#comments
Oh, you've made your own assault rifle from Halo? That's cute. Wait, you've made your own Spartan suit? Meh, it's okay, we guess. See, the dudes at Peter Mander FX have ruined us forever, because they've produced about the best homage to Halo one could ever hope for: the ultra-realistic Elite suit you see above.

Largely comprised of plastic, TLC and dark magicks, the suit not only looks impressive, but it's animatronic. We can't imagine the blood, sweat and/or tears it took to produce such a lifelike recreation of this Covenant class, but we can get some idea from the video documenting the creation of this behemoth, which you can find past the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BungieBungie-StudiosDIYEliteHaloHalo-2Halo-3Halo-3-ODSTHalo-Combat-EvolvedHalo-ReachMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPeter-Mander-FXWed, 30 Jun 2010 04:05:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/halo-2-still-kinda-alive-thanks-to-some-fans/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/halo-2-still-kinda-alive-thanks-to-some-fans/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/halo-2-still-kinda-alive-thanks-to-some-fans/#comments
When the sun set on the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games on April 15, some Halo 2 players decided they just didn't want to let go. So they've been in-game and have left their consoles running past the designated April 15 shutdown, staying in Halo 2 for almost two weeks now. They're going to flip when they see their electric bills!

This thread over on the Bungie forums lists the numerous individuals still online in Halo 2, the last few people able to play the game online ever. Determined not to abandon it until they're forcibly removed by Bungie or Microsoft (or their consoles blow up, which is a veryrealpossibility), you can clearly see each individual's commitment via their profile page on Xbox.com:

You gotta give it to these guys for their perseverance. Sometimes, you just can't accept something coming to an end. That's why we've never gotten around to watching the series finale of Who's The Boss?.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiehalo-2Microsoftoriginal-xboxxbox-1Xbox-360xbox-livexbox-originalsThu, 29 Apr 2010 03:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/master-chief-sings-a-19-disc-set-of-john-117s-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/master-chief-sings-a-19-disc-set-of-john-117s-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/master-chief-sings-a-19-disc-set-of-john-117s-best/#comments
With all of that space travel going on, there's got to be plenty of downtime for the last Spartan in existence. Sure, Master Chief can just hop into a cryo-chamber and saw some wood between Halogames -- but every now and then, when nobody's around, MC likes to exercise the old pipes. You would not believe how dynamic his range is, clearly exhibited in the video past the break from IGN.

Oh, and before you watch the video (and inevitably call that number to order your own set), know that we think we've finally figured out John 117's identity: Michael McDonald.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungiehalohalo-2halo-3ignmaster-chiefmaster-chief-singsMicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosparodysatirespoofXbox-360Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:27:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/gamepro-looks-at-how-halo-influenced-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/gamepro-looks-at-how-halo-influenced-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/gamepro-looks-at-how-halo-influenced-gaming/#comments
We'd explain that Halo influenced gaming in that it influenced many to play it, but that's hardly a secret. It's a cash juggernaut; an epic tale of dudes in space suits that cost more than it does for us to go to space right now. And, of course, bags of tea.

But GamePro offers its own, more poignant analysis of Microsoft's biggest franchise. There are the obvious effects of Bungie's success -- such as regenerative shields and the popular control scheme mimicked by many of Halo's successors -- but one of the biggest is the emergence of online multiplayer in the console FPS. The series has helped pave the way for some of console gamers' favorites.

We can't help but point out that GamePro is neglecting one crucial item: Theater mode. Before Halo 3, just about everyone's crazy stories of conquest or humiliation were suspect and impossible to prove. Now every console player on the message boards can see how awesome you are, and you can't really put a price on that now, can you?

As today is the last full day you'll get a chance to enjoy Halo 2, Bungie has apparently gone and pulled the joke lever. In preparation for tonight's festivities, we went online to download all of the extra maps for the game and get a round of practice in, only to find a few peculiar messages -- like the self-esteem booster you see above.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustriesbungieBungie-StudiosFPShalohalo-2MicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosscreensscreenshotscreenshotsXbox-360xbox-liveWed, 14 Apr 2010 17:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/x3f-game-night-halo-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/x3f-game-night-halo-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/x3f-game-night-halo-2/#comments
Did you hear? Microsoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games, like, tomorrow, so we thought it'd be a good idea to say goodbye in style. Specifically, in the style of playing some Halo 2! So tonight, Wednesday, the 14th of April, we're asking readers to log on and frag with us!

I'll be online at 7PM ET, ready to rumble; merely send me an Xbox Live message (Gamertag: KnifefightYaDad), and I'll do my best to get you into the game, as space permits. Tell your friends, tell your mom and, uh, tell your mom's friends! This is the last time we'll get to play together before the servers are shut down tomorrow.

Note: You may want to download all of the extra maps before joining us online, if you don't have them already. It'll save time and hopefully get us gaming together as soon as possible.

Finally, we're hoping to turn X3F Game Nights into a regular thing, so if you keep showing up, we'll keep hosting -- all you have to do is ask!

What: Multiplayer Halo 2 send-offWhere: Your house (or wherever your Xbox/Xbox 360 is set up)When: Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm ET until ... dark!Why: Because Xbox Live won't support original Xbox games after April 15How: Jump into Halo 2, send KnifefightYaDad a message and wait for the invite

Speaking to Eurogamer as part of a look back at the development of Halo 2, several Bungie staffers shared some revealing thoughts on the game's development. The end of development "crunch" was particularly difficult, with Chris Butcher noting that he would show up for work early and leave after 11pm "seven days a week, for months and months." He added that, while crunch time at Bungie has improved significantly, "The crunch on Halo 2 was, 'Oh my god, we're f***ed. We're all going to die."

The stress stemmed from a solid release date, which would see the game released just prior to the last major holiday season for the original Xbox. Still, Butcher said he prefers a deadline to the Blizzard / Valve "when it's done" philosophy. "The problem with 'when it's done' is that it would never have been done," said Butcher. He elaborated that the team was cutting features from Halo 2 within four months of the deadline.

Concerning the ambition of the original scope of the project, Butcher offers an interesting anecdote. "There's a famous drawing that someone did on a whiteboard in the team's space that shows a plane on fire trying to land on a runway, and people are jettisoning cargo crates out the back of the plane in order to try and get it on the runway," Said Butcher, adding, "Every crate has the name of a feature we had to cut .... In the end, we ran out of room on the whiteboard for all the crates."

Be sure to read Eurogamer's full piece, which covers plenty of other topics, including the reaction to the Arbiter and, of course, Halo 2's infamous cliffhanger ending.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungieBungie-StudiosFPShalohalo-2Microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosXbox-360Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/psa-last-weekend-to-play-xbox-1-games-on-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/psa-last-weekend-to-play-xbox-1-games-on-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/psa-last-weekend-to-play-xbox-1-games-on-live/#comments
This is it. Cue The Doors record, because next Thursday, April 15th, Microsoft will be turning out the lights on the servers that run original Xbox games on Xbox Live, which means that this weekend will be the last non-workdays you've got to play Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Crimson Skies, or Halo 2 online. If it's any consolation, remember that the reason for the shutdown is that older hardware on the service is keeping Microsoft from being able to update things like the friends list limit, so in this case, change should bring some welcome progress.

But as for us, we'll be vegging out all day on Sunday playing Conker: Live and Reloaded. We just called Aunt Emma to tell her this weekend's visit will have to wait -- something more important has come up.

If you're one of the die-hard Master Chief fans that just can't let go of Halo 2, there's a chance that you've got some good news waiting in your inbox. Microsoft is currently sending out emails to Xbox Live users, specifically those who insist on clinging to the old ways. As the Xbox Live service for original Xbox games will shut down next month, Microsoft is offering Halo 2 fans quite a severance package.

All told, OG Xbox gamers will receive three months of Xbox Live Gold, 400 Microsoft Points and an invite to the upcoming Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. Granted, it's probably not going to console those who have yet to upgrade to an Xbox 360 -- or those loyal to games other than Halo 2 -- but it's certainly better than nothing. And hey, jet packs, right?

After telling Joystiq just yesterday that it was working on a fix for unavailable original Xbox DLC, Microsoft has restored the content to Xbox Live. Major Nelson made the news known via his Twitter account. We popped a copy of Halo 2 into the ol' Xbox 360 and, sure enough, all the map packs were once again available for download. Ninja Gaiden worked as well. So, if you need any DLC for your dusty old Xbox games, you'd best get it before the original Xbox Live servers shut down permanently on April 15 (just in time for taxes!).

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlchalo-2Microsoftoriginal-xboxxboxxbox-1Xbox-360xbox-liveThu, 11 Feb 2010 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/microsoft-actively-working-to-restore-original-xbox-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/microsoft-actively-working-to-restore-original-xbox-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/microsoft-actively-working-to-restore-original-xbox-dlc/#comments
Earlier today we reported that Original Xbox downloadable content had been taken offline, presumably in an early effort to turn off online support for the classic Xbox; however, according to Microsoft the unavailable DLC is only an error.

In an email to Joystiq, a Microsoft representative said: "We are aware that Xbox v1 users are currently unable to access downloadable content via Xbox LIVE, both for the original console and Xbox Originals on Xbox 360. The team is actively working on resolving this issue so that the Xbox v1 community can continue downloading content until April 15."

No time frame was given for a fix to the disconnected servers, but it looks like Microsoft wants gamers to enjoy every element of the original Xbox's connected experience until April 15. Now we can all go back to ignoring these server shutdowns and stop acting like it's such a big deal. You know, because it's 2010.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contenthalo-2Microsoftoriginal-xboxXbox-360xbox-liveWed, 10 Feb 2010 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/psa-original-xbox-games-dlc-already-offline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/psa-original-xbox-games-dlc-already-offline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/psa-original-xbox-games-dlc-already-offline/#commentsPlans to disconnect Xbox Live services for original Xbox games have apparently already begun, as DLC servers for Xbox titles have been quietly taken offline. According to numerousforum threads and our own tests of an assortment of Xbox titles, attempts to download original Xbox game content are now fruitless. Each title tested yielded the message: "Could not download content list. Please try again later." (The image above was taken from our test of Halo 2.)

Last Friday, Microsoft announced online support for original Xbox titles would be discontinued on April 15, but made no mention of disconnecting DLC servers earlier than that. Some forum users claim that the DLC servers for Xbox titles were taken offline as soon as the announcement was made last week. So, if you've continued to put off your infiltration of the Kola Cell in the original Splinter Cell, you'd better have already downloaded the mission.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlchalo-2Microsoftoriginal-xboxpsaserversxboxxbox-1Xbox-360xbox-livexbox-originalsWed, 10 Feb 2010 14:56:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/#comments
The plasma party may be almost over for those of you still gripping tight to your Xbox 1 and copy of Halo 2, playing game after desperate game before Microsoft shuts the online servers, but Bungie is looking for fans to join staff members in a last hurrah on April 14. Community manager Brian "Sketch" Jarrard proclaims on Bungie.net that, "We're all saddened at the realization that an era is coming to an end," before asking fans to "mark your calendars now - on April 14th let's all rally to go online for one last hoorah." And sure, he might not explicitly mention the emptying of various malt beverages from 40 ounce glass bottles, but that's why we read between the lines. It's right there, people!

Microsoft is pulling the plug on the Xbox Live services that still cater to the original Xbox. As of April 15th, all Xbox 1 games -- including those playable on Xbox 360 or via the Xbox Originals service -- will be severed from the online realm. "I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly," Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said at the start of a letter to Xbox Live members, "but after careful consideration, it is clear that this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community."

Whitten added that in continuing to "evolve the service," Microsoft requires changes that are "incompatible" with the previous console's games. "We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities."

According to Major Nelson's most recent list of top Xbox 1 Live titles, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Counter-Strike players will be hardest hit. Well, sure, Halo 2 is still the most widely played game, but at least those guys will have some consolation when they leave the house and discover that twothree more Halo games have come out since 2004.

By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to your clan mates, we suggest you say it now.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustriesBungieBungie-Studioscounter-strikeFPShalohalo-2marc-whittenMicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosoriginal-xboxstar-wars-battlefront-2xbox-1Xbox-360xbox-livexbox-originalsFri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/three-ex-bungie-vets-form-moonshot-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/three-ex-bungie-vets-form-moonshot-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/three-ex-bungie-vets-form-moonshot-games/#commentsTired of telling the tale of Master Chief and all of those spinning rings in space, three Bungie veterans have packed their bags and left the company, GI.biz reports. The trio -- Michel Bastien, Damián Isla and Rob Strokes -- have decided to embark on their own adventure together as Moonshot Games, a studio based in both the Seattle and Boston areas.

There's no word on what the new studio will be focusing on, but with all three having spent years making Halo 2 and Halo 3, we'd say it's safe to assume the studio's new project won't include any AI constructs or multi-billion dollar cyborgs. Well, unless they decide to stick to what they know best ...

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungieDShalohalo-2halo-3Microsoftmoonshot-gamesNintendoWiiXbox-360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/want-a-bigger-friends-list-stop-playing-halo-2-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/want-a-bigger-friends-list-stop-playing-halo-2-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/want-a-bigger-friends-list-stop-playing-halo-2-online/#comments
Speaking to G4 late last week, a "high-level Microsoft source" said that the real reason Microsoft hasn't upped the friends list limit on 360 thus far has more to do with people still playing Halo 2 on Xbox than limitations of its current console. Reportedly, the source says that Microsoft is still undecided on when to finally pull the plug and add a feature gamers have been requesting for a long time now.

The company has made it clear in the past that it would like to implement the feature, even going so far as to explain to us at CES 2009 that "original Xbox games were coded to be limited to 100 friends and that limit was brought into the current generation." According to G4's source, the shuttering of Halo 2's online could come after Halo 3: ODST drops this September, giving Microsoft two Halo titles to offer on the Xbox 360. The source also contends that the real decision to keep Halo 2 online is in the hands of gamers. What say you, gamers?!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiefriends-listg4halohalo-2halo-3-odsthalo2microsoftxboxXbox-360xbox-liveMon, 10 Aug 2009 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/happy-belated-10th-birthday-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/happy-belated-10th-birthday-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/happy-belated-10th-birthday-halo/#commentsHey, Halo! Wow, is it ever good to see you! Listen, we're sorry we missed your birthday yesterday, we were really busy with the Babypirates and that dinosaur-headed robot. We just wanted to say you're 10 years old now, and you're growing up in to a fine young man. ... Anyway, listen to us ramble. The point is ... we think you're old enough to have this: It's your grandfather's pocket knife.

Now don't tell your mom about it and don't go poking your eye out, she would just skin us alive. ... What's that? No, smart alec, we don't know how a knife would puncture the nearly 1,000 pounds of MJOLNIR armor that you're constantly required to wear. Now go get washed up for supper, we're having fettuccine.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiefpshalohalo-2halo-3halo-3-odstMicrosoftodstXbox-360Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/halo-3-over-one-billion-served/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/halo-3-over-one-billion-served/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/halo-3-over-one-billion-served/#comments
At 6:36pm PT on Saturday night, Halo 3's 1 billionth match went down. It was a game of Infection on Foundry that lasted a little over 3 minutes, and we imagine all those involved are incredibly proud of how far along Bungie's baby has come. To put it in perspective, that's 2,023,153,340,764 seconds (64,109 years) of total matchmaking playtime. That's like 3 multiplayer searches in Gears of War 2.

Another fun fact: Bungie offers that Halo 2, a game that has topped the original Xbox Live leaderboard since its release 4 years ago, has served a total of 798 million games. Halo 3 released on September 25, 2007.